I Like The Way (The Kissing Game) – Hi-Five | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1) and R&B; 1991
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Hi-Five first hit with I Just Can’t Handle It, a funky number that reached #10 on the R&B chart, yet, did nothing on the pop side. The follow-up, I Like The Way, not only bested Handle‘s R&B performance, it also topped the pop list as well.
I Like The Way‘s co-writers, Bernard Belle and Teddy Riley, were reminiscing about a childhood game where they would chase the girls and collect kisses, and thought the subject was perfect for a new group with whom they were working.
Originally known as the Playmates, Hi-Five hailed from Waco, Texas, led by the distinctive voice of 15 year old Tony Thompson. The boys’ young voices suited the subject matter of I Like The Way perfectly, and by mid-May, 1991 like minded fans had propelled it all the way to #1.
Hi-Five’s third single, I Can’t Wait Another Minute, grabbed the #1 R&B spot as well. The youngsters managed a few more Top 10 successes before their time in the spotlight was over.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Teddy Riley
Lyrics Written by:
- Teddy Riley
- Bernard Belle
- Dave Way
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).